Dale Unwin: From Handmade Boards to Tier 2 Contender
- alistairpettitt
- May 28
- 2 min read
Few players in the UK Cornhole League embody the grassroots spirit of the game like Dale Unwin. As a founding member of the Ashby Baggers Cornhole Club, Dale has been there since day one—quite literally carving out the sport’s UK journey with his own hands.
It was Dale who built the very first cornhole boards, bringing them down to Ashby’s Bath Grounds on Friday evenings alongside fellow founder Alistair Pettitt. The handmade boards, simple and full of character, weren’t just for play—they were the spark that ignited a movement. Curious passers-by were drawn in by the laughter and friendly competition, and the Ashby Baggers community was born.
Off the boards, Dale is a straight-talking Leicestershire native with a dry wit and a generous spirit. He lives with his wife Emma—a familiar and welcome face behind the UKCL refreshments stand—and their daughter. During the week, he works as a quality manager, but come weekends, it’s all about family time, cornhole, and 80s nostalgia. A self-described “bit of a geek,” Dale’s love for movies, comics, and vintage toys rounds out a personality that’s as grounded as it is warm.
Dale’s UKCL debut came at Bury St Edmunds during Season 2, and he’s been steadily climbing the ladder ever since. His singles highlight includes a solid 17th-place finish, but it’s in doubles where Dale really came into his own. Partnering with brother-in-law Ben Gregory, Dale earned a career-best 5th place finish in Tier 1 Doubles at the ACO Birmingham event, notching wins against some big-name opposition along the way.

He’s currently refining his game by working on a roll bag—a technique designed to clear pesky blockers and add a layer of tactical nuance to his already dependable play. As for his favourite shot?
“Anything that lands on the board—or better yet, in the hole.”
Humble as ever, but anyone who's played Dale knows that when his bags are on form, he’s a serious threat.

Now heading into Nationals Tier 2, Dale says he just wants to be “competitive.” But with a growing list of club podium finishes, evolving skills, and a legacy already secured as a UKCL pioneer, don’t be surprised if Dale Unwin makes a deep run in this year’s tournament.
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